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Redskins offseason report: Orakpo's return raises hopes

While Robert Griffin III's knee injury is the injury that dominates discussion among Washington Redskins fans for how the 2012 season ended and what the team's chances are for this season, other ailments

While Robert Griffin III's knee injury is the injury that dominates discussion among Washington Redskins fans for how the 2012 season ended and what the team's chances are for this season, other ailments cost Washington big last season, too. Most notable was the absence of two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo.

Among the 12 teams that made the playoffs, no club gave up more points a game (24.3) than the Redskins. A big part of the problem was a timid pass rush that generated 32 sacks. Opposing quarterbacks felt so comfortable, they attempted a whopping 636 passes against the Redskins. No other team faced more.

But Orakpo, who went down in a Week 2 loss to the St. Louis Rams with a torn chest muscle, is on a mission to make life miserable for opponents.

"'Rak, just the way he practices is like he's possessed. That's what you like to see," coach Mike Shanahan said during offseason workouts. "You can tell he misses the game, being out as long as he was last season. You can tell that he is looking forward to having a great year."

Orakpo, who has set the lofty goals of being the comeback player of the year and defensive player of the year, is thrilled to be back with his fellow linebackers, including Ryan Kerrigan and inside run stuffers London Fletcher and Perry Riley.

"It's good. We got our core four back," he said. "It's still early — we are trying to jell and fix the mistakes we had last year, but I really feel like it is going to be a good season for us. Very good."

Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, entering his fourth season with the team, values the experience his linebackers have in his system.

"I think it's (comfort) with the front seven that you can do some different things," he said. "Obviously, it takes time to learn it, and then you can add on to what you're doing if you've been together. To me, the good defenses in the league, in the NFL, usually have been together for a while and they've played together, like the Baltimores, the Steelers, those type of teams."

But those type of teams have had intimidating, passionate players as well.

"'Rak came in the first day, he stepped right back in the starting job, never missed a beat," Haslett said. "Obviously, you can feel the presence out there. It's totally different."

What's not totally different is the presence of Fletcher, 38. The unquestioned leader of the defense has logged 14 consecutive seasons of playing all 16 games. And even though his three-year run of making the Pro Bowl ended last season, age is not doing a good job of catching up to Fletcher. He had a career-high five interceptions in 2012.

Fletcher is fully recovered from elbow and ankle surgery in the offseason and didn't waste time making an impression in organized team activities.

"I can't imagine playing without him. It's even hard when he's not out here at practice," Kerrigan said. "He's able to call out plays before they happen. You can't teach that."

Griffin says he's on track for Week1 but promises he won't take the field unless fully healthy, echoing Shanahan's comments. RG3 also plans to be more picky when trying to salvage broken plays to help preserve his body. Griffin threw for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns and ran for 815 yards and another seven TDs on his way to being named NFL offensive rookie of the year.

The good news for the Redskins is backup Kirk Cousins has shown he can be effective when needed.

Running back

Stronger. Faster. Smarter. Alfred Morris says he's all of those entering his second season after rushing for 1,613 yards (second in the league) and 13 touchdowns as a rookie. Neither Terrell Davis nor Clinton Portis suffered a sophomore slump under Shanahan, and we don't expect Morris to miss a beat. Evan Royster, Roy Helu and fifth-round pick Chris Thompson will battle for the backup job in training camp.

Wide receiver

Pierre Garcon decided against surgery to repair the torn ligament in his right foot. The Redskins are hoping rest and a new set of custom shoes will keep him on the field, because he proved to be a quality weapon in the few games in which he wasn't clearly hindered by the injury.

Josh Morgan returns on the opposite side, but he's not a No. 2 receiver who worries opposing defensive coordinators.

Tight end

Fred Davis is expected to be ready for training camp after a torn Achilles tendon ended his season in Week7. Davis is playing on a one-year contract after generating little interest as a free agent. Third-round pick Jordan Reed is a talent pass catcher but offers little as a blocker.

Offensive line

The starting five returns intact, anchored by Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams. The group, with help from Morris' and RG3's running talents, paved the way for the NFL's No. 1 rushing offense. The nimble, slightly undersized group gave up 80 hits on its quarterbacks. It's forgivable, though, considering the challenge of protecting such a mobile rookie passer.

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Ends Jarvis Jenkins and Stephen Bowen and nose tackle Barry Cofield do a nice job of holding the point of attack and stuffing the run. A key element to the line's depth will be if Adam Carriker can finally recover from a torn thigh muscle he suffered in Week 1. His status for the opener is in doubt.

Linebacker

Fletcher keeps on ticking and provides leadership for the entire defense. If Orakpo's pectoral problems are in the past, he and fellow outside linebacker Kerrigan should form one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league.

Secondary

DeAngelo Hall, whose play ranges from sloppy to sensational, didn't draw a whiff of interest in the free agent market and is back at a bargain rate. He'll start opposite Josh Wilson, who is more consistent but less of a playmaker. E.J. Biggers is a solid nickel corner. Second-round pick David Amerson had a down year during his final season at North Carolina State, but he has elite size and speed for his position.

Rookie Phillip Thomas is a strong run defender and will push Brandon Meriweather at strong safety. Rookie Bacarri Rambo is likely to replace veteran Reed Doughty, because Doughty's limited range often makes him a liability.

Special teams

Kai Forbath gave the Redskins hope that they finally found a kicker worth keeping around for a while. After Forbath mercifully took over for Billy Cundiff in Week 6, he nailed 17 of his 18 attempts, including all 12 from 40-plus yards. Richard Crawford dazzled in limited work as a punt returner last season. Who returns kickoffs is a question that only training camp can answer.

Coaching staff

Shanahan's staff returns mostly intact, with son Kyle running the offense and Haslett in charge of the defense. The one significant change is former Denver Broncos linebacker and assistant special-teams coach Keith Burns takes over as special-teams coordinator for Danny Smith, who took the same job with the Pittsburgh Steelers.